Corrupt officer gets 18-year sentence
By Jamie Vaznis, Globe Staff
A former Boston police officer was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking scheme.
Nelson Carrasquillo was sentenced in US District Court by Judge William G. Young. Young also sentenced him to five years of probation after his prison term.
Carrasquillo's attorney argued that his client should only serve about eight years, saying he was only a minor player in the scheme. But prosecutors and the judge said the evidence showed otherwise.
As Carrasquillo was led away by a US marshal to begin serving his sentence, several people in the audience said, "We love you."
In November, Carrasquillo, of Dorchester pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin and two counts of attempted aiding and abetting the scheme.
Carrasquillo was one of three Boston officers arrested in Miami in July 2006. They were accused of protecting 100 kilograms of cocaine that was trucked to Boston from western Massachusetts the month before. Posing as drug dealers, FBI agents helped arrange the deal.
Roberto "Kiko" Pulido and Carlos Pizarro, both former officers, also have been convicted in the case.
